Course Description

The construction practices and installation methods of the environmental control layers, play a huge role on the successful performance of the building envelope. When it comes to the selection of the appropriate construction practices and installation methods, certain key factors must be taken into consideration. These include but are not limited to, the choice of materials, sequencing of installation, site coordination, compatibility between materials, ease of future repair, maintainability, and long term performance.

Experience has shown that failing to take these factors into consideration can lead to the risk of rain penetration, ground water ingress, condensation, heat loss, compromised thermal comfort, and reduced durability.

One effective method of intuitive learning is to learn from our mistakes; and this is the intent of this presentation. Using an interactive and collaborative approach, this presentation highlights a wide-range of photos pertaining to 25+ typical problematic building envelope detailing and construction practices, observed during numerous site visits by the presenter. Through various group work, the audience will be asked to brainstorm each detail with their colleagues, explore problems associated with each detail, and then collectively come up with practical solutions to avoid similar occurrences.

Examples to be covered are:

  • Roof to wall saddle
  • Window/door rough opening
  • Window/door installation
  • Thermal bridging
  • Rim joist
  • Material compatibility
  • Below grade damp proofing and drainage
  • Planter/window well
  • Wall/roof penetrations
  • Metal fascia board
  • Metal roof
  • Deck/roof with spray foam
  • And more

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this presentation, the audience will gain an insight towards:

  • The importance of selecting the appropriate building envelope construction practice and installation method.
  • Identification of problematic building envelope details, and how to address them.
 Developing practical solutions via a collaborative approach.


Approved for CPD credits: 2.0 in Construction Technology
Note: If you have already taken this course in person, repeating it online will not qualify for additional CPD points.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1

    • Before You Get Started

    • Agreement to HAVAN Academic Integrity Policy

    • Download the presenter slides and follow along

    • Part 1
  • 2

    Chapter 2

    • Part 2
  • 3

    Chapter 3

    • Part 3
  • 4

    Chapter 4

    • Part 4

    • Feedback

    • Declaration of Completed Work Assignment

Hamid Heidarali, P.Eng, Hamid Design Build

Hamid Heidarali is a Building Science specialist at HDB with a strong passion for high performance buildings that minimize their impact on the environment, while providing superior experience for occupants. He has been providing Building Science engineering on a wide range of projects in Canada over the past two decades. Hamid taught building envelope courses to Masters students at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) from 2015 till 2020, and offers holistic building envelope workshops for the construction professionals on a regular basis.